Question

Which of the following series in the spectrum of hydrogen atom lies in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum?

• A. Paschen series
• B. Balmer series
• C. Lyman series
• D. Brackett series

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Balmer series

The explanation for correct option.

Balmer series:

1. When electrons transition from higher energy states$(n_h=3,4,5,6,7,...)$ to lower energy states$\left(n_l=2\right)$, the Balmer series appears.
2. All of the wavelengths in the Balmer series are in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum $(400\mathrm{nm}\mathrm{to}740\mathrm{nm})$.
3. The presence of Hydrogen is detected in astronomy by using the H-Alpha line of the Balmer series; it is also a component of the solar spectrum.

Hence, option (B) is correct.

The explanation for incorrect options.

For option (A) Paschen series

A series of absorption or emission lines in the near-infrared spectrum is caused by hydrogen. They are caused by electron jumps between the third and higher energy levels.

For option (C) Lyman series

The Lyman series is a hydrogen spectral series of transitions and resulting ultraviolet emission lines of the hydrogen atom as an electron transition from any $n$ value to $\mathrm{n}=1$ (where $\mathrm{n}$ is the principal quantum number), the electron's lowest energy level.

For option (D) Brackett series

The Brackett series is a set of emission lines falling in the infrared spectrum from atomic hydrogen gas caused by electrons descending from an electron shell number $\mathrm{n}$ greater than 4 to $\mathrm{n}=4$ or the analogous absorption lines caused by absorbed electromagnetic radiation.

Hence, options (A), (C), and (D) are incorrect.

Hence, “option (B)” is the correct option.